The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.

Tidal Flooding From Isabel

The above photo was taken the day after Tropical Storm Isabel (formerly Hurricane Isabel) roared through the Chesapeake Bay area (September 19, 2003). It was captured on the grounds of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Many cities and communities along the shores of the Chesapeake, (including Baltimore) were partially submerged by record water levels as a result of Isabel's tidal surge -- over 9 ft (3 m) in some areas. Even though Isabel made landfall in North Carolina as a category 1 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson Scale), the tidal surge in the Chesapeake Bay was comparable to a category 3 storm.